Water heater



Aug. 8, 1933. J. w. CARROLL WATER HEATER Filed May 3 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l 42 6? Ea m qflorney.

Aug. 8, 1933. J w CARROLL 1,921,807

ATE HEATER Filed May '31, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTUR. Joseph W. Carroll Patented Aug. 8, 1933 UNITED STATE-S PATENT orrics l I ,i, 921,s07 Q Q H V r WATER HEATER J v P. Carroll & Sens, Philadelphia, Pa., a co-partnership consisting of Edward P. Carroll and- Joseph W. Carroll ApplicationMay ,31, 1932. Serial No. 614,423

12 Claims.

duplex heating tubes (preferably of copper) extending horizontally lengthwise of the same, re-

" ceiving steam adjacent to one end of the tank and'insuring discharge of condensate from the same end, whereby the said heating tubes may be detached andwithdrawn for replacement or repairs. "Ihe generator has'a specially constructed combined steam chest and condensate chamber, which is bolted to the end of the tank, permitting live or exhaust steam to enter the principal heating pipe section at the lower part of the generator tank and also, if desired, to enter the auxiliary heating pipe section arrangedat the upper part of the tank. The steam may be simultaneously or independently supplied to both the principal heating section and auxiliary section, or otherwise regulated as hereinafter set out. Where it is desired tofsimult'aneusly control the supply of steam to 'thetwo heating sections, this may be done by employment of one main or master valve; but where both heating sections are to be independently controlled, a by-pass connection for steam may be employed to separately supply steam to the auxiliary heating section as later described, this latter feature being of marked importance, especially in installations where the peak load takes placefor only a few hours of the day.

The lower'or principal heating section consists of a number of two-inch or larger straight tubes,

(the number varyingto comply with the-requirements of the generator), and the front ends of said tubes are securely rolled and beaded into a heavy steel tube sheet, while the opposite ends are closed, thereby-forming a steam jacket. In-

side of each tube thus provided is a smaller tube which conveys the steam to the extreme end of the heating tube or jacket, through which it returns to the condensate chamber, insuring at all timesperfect circulation of steam in all of the tubes. This makes each tube an independent direct heat- F ing surface for its entirearea, and this is of importance inasmuch as the lowest tubesin the generator are just as efficient as the. higher tubes and, therefore, will transfer heat to the water in 'thelowest part of the tank as the water at the higher levels. 1

The inner or steam delivery tubes being in-' sulated by the heated jacketsor outer tubes, will retain the heat throughout their entire length, and thereby insure the supply of relatively dry steam to the closed ends of the outer tubes, whereby the greatest heating efficiencyf'is secured. The front ends of the inner steam tubes are secured in a second tube sheet to one side of which is a steam chest and into which the steam for heating is supplied, and to t ther side and between it andlthe tube she tubes, is providedthe condensate hamber by which said circulation. i

-A suitable thermost 'atic control (not shown) may, therefore, be set for-about one hundred and thirty degreesto meet normal requirements whenusing only the lower heating section; and when the occasional heavierdemand for hotfwater occurs, steam may then be admitted to the auxiliary or upper heating section to increase the temperatureat the hot water outlet and also to hasten the'travel of the return circulation. This means of separate control will prolong the life of the generator considerably, since it will not be necessary to maintain high temperatures, throughout the entire tank for long' periods in anticipation of heavier demands.- v Q "Another point in favor of theemployment of, an' auxiliary or upper heating section, is on installations where the available supply of exfreely as to condensate may be taken out of the tion may. be supplied with live steam to meet these emergencies, it being understood; of course, that the necessary steam traps, 7 air vent and vacuum breaker, be employed asindicated for the principal heating'sect-ion.

My improvementsfurther consist of other features and details of construction which, to-

gether with those above referred to, are fully described hereinafter and pointed out inthe clainis.

reference. to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1' is" a vertical section on line 1 lof-Fig. 3,-illustrating theg'eneral construction'of a hot water generator embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of a' hot water generator embodying my improvements; Fig; 3 is a sectional View taken on line3- -3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4lis'aperspec- The invention willbe better understood by tive view of the steam circulating tubes forming a part of the main and auxiliary heating section; Fig. 5 is a vertical section on a larger scale showing a portion of the structure in Fig. 1; and Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a portion of Fig. 1 showing a special support for the heating tubes.

The generator tanl; 2 is llladQOf any desired diameter and length to provide capacity to suit the purpose for which the generator is designed. In general, the forward head 3 of the tank is provided with two flanged port openings '7 and 31, the former being relatively large in diameter as compared with the latter; and the tank is further provided at its bottom and near the flanged port opening 7 with a feed water inlet 5 and at its top and distant from the flanged port opening 31 with a hot water outlet 6. In

this manner, the feed water inlet and hot water outlet are spaced considerably apart in the direction of the'length of the tank. The tank is further provided with a man-hole in large generators and a hand-hole in small generators, such man or hand holes being formed at he in the rear head 4 of the tank. There is also preferably provided a plugged hole 55 through which the interior of the tank be flushed or cleaned.

As shown, there is a lower main heating section secured to the flanged port opening 7 and an upper auxiliary heating section secured to the flanged port opening 31. The heating sections comprise long heating tubes 12 and 33 respectively into and through which steam is respectively supplied by the tubes 18 and 38.

Referring' to the main heating section, 9 is a strong tube sheet bolted at 11 to the flanged port opening '7, and said tube sheet is provided with a number of copper tubes 12, each having its end extended through the tube sheet and secured permanently therein by being expanded and beaded therein, the other and distant ends 12a being closed and sealed as shown. Extending over the outer side of the tube sheet 9 is a combined steam chest 23 and condensate chamber 24, said parts separated by a transverse tube sheet 16 and all enclosed within a tubular head 8 having a flanged end which is bolted to the tube sheet 9 and flanged port 7 aforesaid. There aresteam supply tubes 18 whose forward ends areflanged and beadedinto the tube sheet 16.

in a steam-tight manner, said tubes 18 extending into the heating tubes 12'to near their ClOfid ends (Fig. 1) wherein they are centrally spaced by the flanges 18a as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. These spacing flanges 18a are more particularly illustrated in Fig. 4 and shown as formed byradially flanging the ends of the inner tubes 18 and employing a portion of said flanged part to provide spacing means between the end of the said inner tube 18 and the interior wall of the outer tube 12. It will suffice to employ three or more of these spacing radially flangedportions 18a, though in practice I prefer four of such parts, as sh0wn, for centralizing the end of the tube 18 within the closed end of the tube 12; and the surplus portion of the flanged end of the inner tube 13 is cut away so as to permit free passage of the steam through said inner tube into the outer tube 12 and thence, with the water of condensation, through the annular space between the inner tube 18 and the outer tube 12, back to the chamber 24. By reason of this con struction the steam is supplied from the steam chest 23 through the tubes 18' and released within the distant end of theilarger tubes 12 whichact By this construction the steam is delivered to the most distant portions of the tubes 12 and 18 and the condensate is returned to and discharged at the steam supply end of the generator, insuring perfect circulation of steam throughout the full length of the tubes and where the water is coolest, 7

thereby assuring the greatest efliciency.

The outer end of the steamchest 23 is closed by a cap plate 19 which is bolted in position by bolts 21 and made steam tight by a gasket 20.

The steam, live or exhaust, as found desirable or convenient, is supplied to the steam chest by a pipe 22 which may be received from any suitable source under the control of valve means (not shown). Incidentally, I would point out that the tube sheet 9 is clamped between steam and water tight gaskets 10, and I have also indicated that the tube sheet 16 may be electrically welded at 17 within the tubular head 8 as a convenient means of construction. Condensate which may collect in the steam chest-23 may be passed off through a drip pipe 25 and be directly returned to the source of steam or discharged through a suitable steam trap (not shown).

While the tubes 12 and 18 are strongly secured to. the flanged port opening 7 of the generator, it is necessary in long generators to support the free ends of the tubes 12 and 18, and this I accomplish in the following manner. The several tubes 12 are spaced apart by one ormore tube support circles 14, which are circular disks having spaced apertures 14:; of a diameter somewhat greater than the outer diameter of the tubes 12 and preferably internally threaded as shown in Fig. 6. These apertures 14a are bushed with lead or other ductile and relatively soft metal or material 15 which, while supporting the weight of the tubes, willnot objectionably injure them due to vibration, water hammering in the house pipes, or otherwise. The use of these cushion supporting means or bushings for the steam heating pipes 12 is important because it is de-v sirable to form the tubes of relatively thin copper or copper alloy to insure the ready passage of heat from the steam within the tube to the water surrounding the same, while avoiding injury due to servere jarring of the ductile tubes. The tube supporting circles 14 are placed upon the tubes 12 near their free ends, as shown in Fig. 1, and at one or more places distant from the tube sheet 9, and these supporting circle plates are clamped tightly upon the upturned flanges of a channel rail 27 by the clamping straps 13 which have their lower ends bolted at 13a to across bar 30 resting upon the inside bottom of the tank and under the channel rail 27, which latter is held down by anchoring angle bars 28 riveted to the tank and to the channel rail at 29. In this manner,-the tubes are free, under expansion and con traction, to slide upon the bushings of the supporting circle members; These structures are clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 6.

Referring .now to the auxiliary heating section, the general construction corresponds substantially to one set of tubes 12 and 18 already;

tube sheet and isclamped between the flanged port opening 31 and the combined steam chest 4'6 and condensate chamber 47, by bolts 41, packing gaskets being-employed to insure a steam and'water tight joint 33' is a copper steam tube which is secured 'to the tube sheet 32 by a flange and beaded joint, and extended for the greater part of the length 0f the generator tank 2, the free end of saidtube 33 being closed by a plug 34 welded or soldered in position and having a horizontal stud 35 forming a sliding fit through a hole in a downwardly arranged arm 36, welded in position withinthe tank at 37, all as, shown in Fig. 1. Arranged within the tube 33 is a steam supply "pipe -38 hav ing" an end 38a form'ing a sliding conection within the tube 33 while permitting free circulation of thesteam. The other end of the steam'supply pipe '38 is secured to the tube sheet 42 of the combined steam r chest and condensate chamber head 39. This head '39 has its steam chest 46 closed by-=a cap 43 screwed in position andreceiv in'g a steam supply pipe 44 having'a control valve 45 of any suitable construction.

'Steam is supplied from; steam chest 23 of the main heating section to the steam chest 46 of the auxiliary heating section through a branch pipe 50 under the control of a shut-off valve 51- therein. Similarly, the condensate from the V chamber 4-? is free 'to flow by gravity into the condensatechamber 24 and thence to the steam trapas before explained, but the discharge of condensate in this manner is dependent upon the opening of the valve '49 in the-branch pipe 48 connecting the two condensate chambers 24 and 4'7.

It will now be understood tha'tthis hot water generator may be employednnder various conditions, among which "may be stated: a) Where the greatestquantity of 'hot water 'is required,

live steam is freely supplied to the steam chests be supplied with steam direct to steam'chest 23 and by-p'ass a portionof that 'steam throug'h the auxiliary steam chest 46 by adjustment of, the

by-pass valve 51. (8) When very mild temperature is required the auxiliary heating section may be used with the supply of live or exhaust steam admitted under regulation. (7) Where the-avaih able supply of exhaust steam is not quite-sufficient to maintain the desired water temperature during the peak loads, the auxiliary section may be, supplied with live steam, to meet such conditions. Other examples -'of special regulation for special conditions will be available, but

the flexibility of the apparatus is sufiiciently exemplified 'by the :above examples.'

The auxiliary or upper heating section located as it is, high in the tank shell and with the hot- 7 test portion of this unit directly below the hot water outlet, is one of the, outstanding features of this generator. Its chief function is to main- .tain an even, high temperature in the water during periods'of'heavy demands or peak'loads. It will also prove its effectiveness by increasing the speed of water travel where it is employed in a return circulating system. Another important feature of this generator is'thaton'ly one air .vent

valve 53 and one vacuum breaker '54 are required for the two heatin'g sections on installations where steam enters both heating elements atthe same pressure}- This vent valve 53 and vacuum sbreaker 54 may connect with steam chest 23 .by pipe 52; I also emphasize {that the condensate from the auxiliary heating sectionon the top is piped into the condensate compartment of the steam chest, thereby eliminating'the'expense of providing two separate steam traps, as one steam trap is ample to take care-of the condensation from bothheating sections.

It will also be seen that when the tubes require to be withdrawn for cleaning or repairs, this is' easily done asthe tube sheets 9, 16, 32 or 42 may be removed with the connected tubes, as will be evident-to one skilled in the art.

It will now be apparent that I have devised a novel and useful construction which embodies r the features of advantage enumerated as de-' sirable, and while'I have in the present instance shown and described, the preferred embodiment thereof" which has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understood that I do not restrict myself to the details stated as the same are susceptible of modification in various particulars, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. 7 r

I claim: I

l. A hot water generator comprising in combination, a horizontally positioned tank provided r on its interior with a heating section arranged near the lower portion of .the tank and consisting of a plurality of steam heating return tubes each comprising an inner steam supplying tube of relatively small diameter and a surrounding jacketing tubeof relatively larger diameter onclosing th'e tubes of smallerdiameter, said small and largeitubes being :telescoped in pairs and opening into'each other at one end and having their other ends secured to separate'tube sheets,

and respectively opening into asteamch'est and a condensate chamber, a .feed water inlet open ing into the lower portion of. the tank below the large and small steam/tubes, a hot water out- .letrfrom the upper part :of the tank, means for supplying :steam to the steam chest, means for permitting the discharge-of the condensate from the condensate chambe1,-and means for support ing the distant ends of the smaller diameter tubes upon the interior portionsof -the surround ing jacketing tubes. of relatively-large diameter,

said larger tubes being held in spaced relation by a tube support extending downward and fixedly secured to the interior bottom of -the tank I Q for supporting the endsof the tubes and holding them against movement relatively to the tank.

2; A hot water generator comprising in combination, a horizontally positioned tank provided near the lower portion of the tank and consistingof a plurality of steam heating return'tubes each comprising an inner steam supplying tube of relatively small diameter and a surrounding jacketing tube of relatively larger diameter enclosing the tubesof smaller diameter, said small and large tubes being telescoped in pairs and opening into each other at" one endand having on its interior with a heating section arranged theirother ends secured to separate tube sheets and'resp'ectivelyopening into a' steam chest and a condensateehamber, a feed water inlet opening into the lower portion of the tank below the soft metal large and small steam tubes, a hot water outlet from theupper part of the tank, means for supplying steam to the steam chest, means for p'ermitting the discharge of the condensate from the condensate chamber, a tube supporting circle for holding the large diameter tubes in spaced relation, means secured within the tank for sustaining the tube supporting circle and holding it against movement relatively to the tank, and bushings interposed between the larger diameter tubes and the tube supporting circle.

3. A hot water generator comprising in combination, a horizontally positioned tank provided on its interior with a heating section arranged near the lower portion or" the tank and consisting of a plurality of steam heating return tubes each comprising an inner steam supplying tube of relatively small diameter and a surrounding jacketing tube of relatively larger diameter enclosing the tubes of smaller diameter, said small and large tubes being telescopedin pairs and opening into each other at one end and having their other ends secured to separate tube sheets and respectively opening into a steam chest and a condensate chamber, a feed water inlet opening into the lower portion of the tank below the large and small steam tubes, a hot water outlet from the upper part of the tank, means for supplying steam to the steam chest, means for permitting the discharge of the condensate from the condensate chamber, and supporting means for sustaining the telescoped portions of the tubes in fixed relation to the tank, said supporting means provided with soft metal parts interposed between the large steam heating tube and the supporting means; I

4. A hot water generator comprising in combination, a horizontally positioned tank provided on its interior with a heating section arranged near the lower portion of the tank and consisting of a plurality of steam heating return tubes each comprising an inner steam supplying tube of relatively small diameter and a surrounding jacketing tube of relatively larger diameter enclosing the tubes of smaller diameter, said small and large tubes associated in pairs and opening into each other at one end and having their other ends secured to separate tube sheets and respec-' tively opening into a steam chest and a condensate chamber, a feed water inlet opening into the lower portion of the tank below the large and small steam tubes, a hot water outer from the upper part of the tank, means for supplying steam to the steam chest, means for permitting the discharge of the condensate from the condensate chamber, means for anchoring the steam heating tubes to the tank, said means including a longitudinal metal member secured rigidly to the lower interior part of the tank, a transversely arranged supporting member through which the tubes extend, and means for clamping the transverse tube supporting member to the longitudinal metal member.

5. A hot water generator comprising in combination, a horizontally positioned tank provided on its interior with a heating section arranged near the lower portion of the tank and consisting of a plurality of steam heating return tubes each comprising an inner steam supplying tube of relatively small diameter and a surrounding jacketing tube of relatively larger diameter enclosing the tubes of smaller diameter, said small and large tubes being telescoped in pairs and opening into each other at one end and having their other ends secured to separate tube sheets andrespectively opening into a-steam chest and a condensate chamber, a feed water inlet opening into the lower portion of the tank below the large and small steam tubes, a hot water outlet from the upper part of the tank, means for supplying steam to the steam chest, meansfor permitting the discharge of the condensate'from the condensate chamber, and wherein further, the inner tubes are split longitudinally at one end and have portions intermediate of said slits bent radially relatively to the length of the tube to provide spacing members between the inner and outer tube parts, the space between said spacing members forming a communicating passage between the'tube parts'for permitting the flow of steam and condensate. I

6. A hot water generator, comprising in combination, a horizontally positioned tank provided on its interior with a heating section arranged near the lower portion of the tank and consistlarge and small steam tubes, a hot water outlet from the upper part of the tank, means for supplying steam to the steam chest, and means for permitting the discharge of the condensate from the condensate chamber, and wherein further,

an auxiliary smaller heating section is provided within the tank near its upper part said section including a return tube structurehaving telescoped innerand outer members, said members being respectively in communication with the steam chest and condensate chamber of the lower heating section, and also, wherein the lower heating section has an'exhaust steam supply pipe and the upper heating section has a live steam supply pipe, and suitable means are provided for controlling the live steam.

7. A hot water generator comprisingin combination, a horizontally positioned tankprovided on its interior with a heating section arranged near the lower portion of the tank and consisting of a plurality of steam heating return tubes each comprising an inner steam supplying tube of relatively small diameter and a surrounding jacketing tube of relatively larger diameter enclosing the tubes of smaller diameter, said small and large tubes being telescoped in pairs and opening into each other at one end and having their other ends secured to'separate tube sheets and respectively opening into a' steam chest and a condensate chamber, a feed water inlet opening into the lower portion of the tank below the large and small steam tubes, a hot water outlet from the upper part of the tank, means for supplying steam to the steamchest, andmeans for permitting the discharge of the condensate from the condensate chamber, and wherein further, an auxiliary smaller heating section is provided within the tank near its upper part said section including a return tube structure having telescoped inner and outer members, said members being respectively in communication with the steam chest and condensate chamber of the lower heating section, and wherein also, the steam chest is provided with vacuum and relief valves.

8. A hot water generator comprising in combination, a horizontally positioned tank provided on its interior with a heating section arranged near the lower portion of the tank and consisting of a plurality of steam heating return tubes each comprising an inner steam supplying tube of rel atively small diameter and a surrounding jacketing tube of relatively larger diameter enclosing the tubes of smaller diameter, said small and large tubes being telescoped in pairs and opening into each other at one end and having their other ends secured to separate tube sheets and respectively opening into a steam chest and a condensate chamber, a feed water inlet opening into the lower portion of the tank below the large and small steam tubes, a hot water outlet from the upper part of the tank, means for supplying steam to the steam chest, and means for permitting the discharge of the condensate from the condensate chamber, and wherein further, an auxiliary smaller heating section is provided within the tank near its upper part and including a return tube structure having telescoped inner and outer members, said members being respectively in communication withthe steam chest and condensate chamber of the lower heating section, and wherein further, valve means are provided for shutting oil the auxiliary heating section from the steam chest and condensate chamber of the lower heating section.

9. A hot water generator comprising in combination, a horizontally arranged tank provided on its interior with a heating section arranged near the lower portion of the tank and consisting of a plurality of inner and outer telescoped tubes arranged in pairs to form return tube structures for steam and condensate, means for supplying steam to the inner tubes and providing for passage of condensate from the outer tubes of each telescoped pair of tubes, means comprising a transverse plate having a plurality of apertures provided with bushings of ductile metal through which the outer of the telescoped tubes respectively extend and by which they are supported in parallel relation to each 0th r, means connecting the said supporting means to the bottom of the shell of the tank, means for supplying cold water to the lower part of the tank and below the telescoped tubes therein, and means for delivering hot water from the upper part of the tank.

10. A hot water generator comprising in combination, a horizontally arranged tank provided on its interior with a heating section arranged near the lower portion of the tank and consisting of a plurality of inner and outer telescoped tubes steam to the inner tubes and providing for passage of condensate from the outer tubes of each telescoped pair of tubes, transversely arranged means for through which the tubes extend, means connecting the said supporting means to the shell. of the tank, means for supplying cold water to the lower part of the tank and below the telescoped tubes therein, means for delivering hot water from the upper part of the tank, and. soft metal bushings interposed between the outer tubes and the transversely arranged supporting means.

11. A hot water generator, comprising a horizontal tank having arranged therein a lower heating section formed of a plurality 'of telescoping inner and outer tubes in pairsrneans for supplying steam to the inner tubes, and means for conveying condensate from the outer tubes, in combination with an auxiliary heating section arrangedvin the upper part of the tank and'comprising inner and outer tubes in telescoped relation, means for supplying and regulating steam to the inner tube of the auxiliary section, means for permitting the passage of condensate from the outer tube of the auxiliary section and for mix ing it with the condensate from the lower section, afeed water inlet opening into the lower part of the tank below the lower heating section, and a hot water outlet from the tank above the upper auxiliary heating section.

12. A hot water generator, comprising a horizontal tank having arranged therein a lower heating section formed of a plurality of telescop-v ing inner and outer tubes in pairs, means for supplying steam to the inner tubes, means for con-- veying condensate from the outer tubes, in combination with an auxiliary heating section arranged in the upper part of the tank and com-l prising inner and outer tubes in telescoped relation, means for supplying steam to the inner tube of theauxiliary section and permitting the passage of condensate from the outer tube thereof, 1 a feed water inlet'opening into the lower part of the tank below the lower heating section and a hot water outlet from the tank above the upper auxiliary heating section, and wherein further, the telescoping tubes of the auxiliary heating section are removable longitudinally from the end of the tank and are supported at their inner ends by means of a longitudinal extension on the ends of the tubes in engagement with a transsupporting the telescoped tubes versely arranged arm upon the inner portion of 

